What are LASIK surgery complications and how often do they happen?

LASIK eye surgery is a surgical procedure done on a person’s eyes to improve their vision. The surgery is done with a laser and permanently changes the shape of a person’s cornea (the clear front part of your eye). The hope is that after having surgery, a person will be able to stop wearing glasses or contacts, or to reduce their use of them.

As with any surgery, there are risks to having this procedure. Dry eyes can be an issue for the first six months or so after surgery, and that can reduce your quality of vision. Patients may also see glares or halos, experience double vision, develop an infection or problem with excess tears, or, in rare cases, even lose their vision.

Doctors tend to treat any side effects or complications situationally. For example, with dry eye, a patient will likely be given artificial teardrops to help keep their eyes moist. In more severe cases, doctors may insert a punctal plug a silicone or collagen insert that’s put into the corner of the eye to keep tears in the eye longer.

Though it’s rare, some people can experience what’s known as neuropathic corneal pain. When nerves are cut, as they are with LASIK, there are some people with severely damaged nerves that can experience intense pain. After a procedure like this, some people can feel like their eyes are on fire 24/7.

A complication after LASIK fortunately is very, very rare. If you’re planning to get LASIK, Doctors recommends making sure to Get a comprehensive eye exam with appropriate testing to make sure you are a good candidate. So The vast majority of complications happen in people who aren’t.

Lara Kh.